5 Photography Mistakes to Avoid

You’ll be looking at this album for the rest of your life, so it pays to get it right! Dodge common pitfalls with these tips from Woolf Photography.

Story by Photo Woolf Photography

You’ll be looking at this album for the rest of your life, so it pays to get it right! Dodge common pitfalls with these tips from Woolf Photography.

Mistake #1: Going overboard on photo locations

We recommend two or three – this gives a sweet spot between adequate variation of locations, and not keeping your guests waiting for too long! We always try and keep portrait sessions to a window of no longer than 90 minutes. If your photographer is well organised with a clear brief, and your locations are close together, you should manage to complete the shoot in less time than this.

Mistake #2: Choosing photo locations that mean nothing to you

Locations are best when they are in context with the couple! For instance, there are “beachy” people, nature lovers, adventure people – the best settings are those that reflect something about the couple’s shared identity. Of course, where the light falls at the time of the session will play a big factor, as is the weather, but we always have a contingency plan up our sleeve if Plan A doesn’t work.

Mistake #3: Failing to think ahead

Find out if any events or activities – think festivals, sporting events and so on – might be happening in the same area on the day. They could lead to road closures, or lack of parking for guests, all of which can make for a stressful day, which isn’t conducive to a relaxed, happy wedding album.

Mistake #4: Not keeping your photographer in the loop

A must-shoot list can be particularly helpful if you have important people in your life that you wish to capture on the day. For example, friends and family from overseas who made a special effort to attend. Family dynamics and structures can vary greatly too, so it’s always helpful to know of these intricacies ahead of the big day.

Mistake #5: Forgetting about the details

When it comes to album production, we find that sometimes the smallest details can help tell the story. The invitation, the menu, special his and hers gifts and the wedding rings together add depth and variation to a photo set – be sure to have them ready when your photographer arrives.